First annual juried craft show draws a crowd

HOT SPRINGS – A one of a kind show filled the room at the Art on the Wall Gallery on Saturday, as jewelry, felting, wood carving and other skills were proudly displayed along the walls. 

The first ever Juried Craft Show took place from 6 to 8 p.m. and brought a new crowd to the gallery. 

“(The show) is not the same as the art or the photography. This includes people who normally wouldn’t be here, which is cool,” said Hot Springs Artistic Society President, Marla Brown Robbins. “This is a whole different world so this is going to be fun.”

Robbins admitted the show was a little small, however, for a first show that was expected. For the first trial run, Robbins said the size of the show worked because it did not overwhelm anyone who was new to this experience like herself. 

“In a way it’s kind of nice because a lot of the subject matter was new to me so I asked the judge if I had it in the wrong category to say so, and she moved a couple of things around,” Robbins explained. 

The trial and error of the categories proved to be a success and encompassed a large number of categories. 

“There is a lot of different categories, as you can see,” said Robbins. “There’s some nice stuff and I was really tickled with the variety.”

Snacks and beverages were provided to those in attendance. As people enjoyed the refreshments, they roamed around the room, critiquing each piece and eventually each person picked their favorite piece for the People’s Choice Award. An eclectic variety of music filled the air as father and son team, Matt and Nick Pavelich, took to serenading the crowd.  

Once everyone had voted, the awards ceremony began around 7 p.m. 

Cash prizes were awarded to the reserve in show, the best in show and for the people’s choice award. 

An entry in the ceramics category took both Best in Show and the People’s Choice Award. Leslie Handell took the awards with her creation of “Stillness.” The reserve in show went to the Ol’ Water Trough made by Rustic Art. 

Olivia Olsen, co-owner of the Red Poppy in Ronan, judged the entries earlier in the week.

“I was pleased that she was kind enough to come judge because this is all very new to me as far as the crafts,” Robbins said. “She’s a very knowledgeable lady and she gave a lot of opinions on things.” 

Robbins explained Olsen was quite familiar with the different categories and she hoped that Olsen would return to help judge future shows.

“It’s fun to have people from out of town judge,” Robbins said to the crowd. This helps eliminate any preconceived biases.

The hope is to continue the show at least once a year, if not more.

“Hopefully next year we will have a bigger show and have some sponsors,” Robbins said as she thanked everyone for coming. 

The winners in each category were as followed: Jewelry – Marissa Ilac took first, second and third place with her crystal necklace, her dragonfly and a piece called galaxy, respectively. Paleo Indian Stone Age Points went to Donald Safford for both first and second place. Lloyd Redmond took first place in wood construction for his birdhouse, while Vicki Baker took first, second and third place in clay sculptures with The Fisherman, The Birdman and The Father, respectively. Leslie Handell took first and second in the ceramics category with Stillness and Traveler. As for the mixed media sculpture, Joan Nevarez took first with her Common House Fly and second with Gasolina the Puppet. Russ Robbins took first place in wood carving with his piece titled Friends. Linny Gibson took first place in paper craft with Angel and Laur Weinstock took second with Simply Asia. Sue Copperman took the top three ribbons home in fused glass with her crafts titled Fish Platter, Tree and Lamp. In the mosaic category, Jean Williams Sample won for a mirror. Leslie Handell took first in leather work with Goddess Prayer Pouch and Joyce Robbins took second with an elk checkbook cover. Jean Williams Samples took first place in felt with Promise of Spring and Linda Bjugstad took first place in the toy category with Toddy’s Bear. As for the fabric textile category, Jeannie Woods took first for her tulip, second for her Christmas wall hanging and third for her ribbon twist. Carlie Gibson took the top three prizes in fabric weaving with her should purse, and two different belts. As for embroidery, Deb Meyers won with her duvet cover. Russ Robbins took first and second place in metal work with the ‘Ol water trough lamp and the ‘Ol dump truck while Gary Waters took third for his forks. David Ronniger took first and third place in basket weaving, while Norah Romanelli Potts took second place.